Extreme E helping to produce COVID-19 respirators with Nissan, QEV

The Extreme E electric off-road racing series is in partnership with Nissan and engineering outfit QEV Technologies to produce and distribute respirators for use amid the coronavirus pandemic

Dubbed the Q-Vent - and developed in conjunction with Hospital de Sant Pau and the Eurecat technology centre - the portable breathing aid weighs 22kg and will be rolled out across intensive care units in emerging countries.

The device has been authorised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products for use in clinical investigations and has passed the prerequisite tests with "excellent results".

Alejandro Agag, the founder and CEO of Extreme E, said: "Everyone around the world, in business and our communities, is currently asking themselves, 'What skills can we bring to the table in the fight against coronavirus?

"Our talented partners at QEV Technologies, alongside Hospital de Sant Pau, Nissan and Eurecat, have found an incredible way to direct and utilise their expertise to help make a difference to those who are in urgent need around the globe.

"Our championship will visit a number of emerging countries that, as is the case in many nations worldwide, are currently suffering shortages of conventional respirators.

"Using our network and commercial relationships, we will focus all of our attention on supporting QEV Technologies with the distribution of this device to those countries."

Manufacturing of the Q-Vent respirator will begin this week at Nissan's Spanish gearbox and engine plant in Zona Franca, which is expected to produce 180 units per day.

The design features an internal auxiliary battery that can power the Q-Vent for 36 hours in the event of a mains power failure.

An internal alarm activates upon disconnection or any changes in the measured parameters.

It also features a patient tracker to allow for the monitor and control of an unlimited number of respirators from the same computer, which is intended to reduce the time required for medical supervision.

Miguel Valldecabres, the CEO of QEV Technologies, added: "Since the beginning of the epidemic, we assumed the challenge of developing a low-cost portable system that could reach all corners of the world, especially those emerging countries where the COVID-19 was going to cause a great damage and where the majority of the patients were not going to have access to respirators.

"And thanks to everyone's effort and desire, this has been possible."

The first 20 units will be donated to the Catalan health service to assist with the ongoing clinical studies that seek to optimise the equipment.

shares
comments

Formula E aiming for 'five or six' more races this season - Agag

No Formula E Gen3 car delay decision until July at the latest

How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle

How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Jakarta ePrix II
Rachit Thukral

How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle How Wehrlein turned the tables to move back ahead in Formula E title tussle

How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel

How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Monaco ePrix
Stefan Mackley

How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel How Cassidy earned 'Big Cat' bragging rights in tight Monaco duel

How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure

How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Berlin ePrix
Stefan Mackley

How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure How Kiwis stormed Berlin to put Porsche under pressure

How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match

How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Sao Paulo ePrix
Stefan Mackley

How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match How Evans pounced for Jaguar in a Sao Paulo slipstreaming chess match

The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic

The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Cape Town ePrix
Jake Boxall-Legge

The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic The fumble that inadvertently aided da Costa in Formula E's Cape Town classic

How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter

How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Hyderabad ePrix
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter How Vergne kept his cool to triumph in spicy Indian Formula E encounter

Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence

Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Hyderabad ePrix
Rachit Thukral

Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence Why the Hyderabad E-Prix is only a first step in India's motorsport emergence

The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era

The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era

Plus
Plus
Formula E
Jake Boxall-Legge

The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era The key factors behind Porsche's strong start to Formula E's new era

Subscribe